First WRC Architectural Design Awards

Aug 21, 2008

VANCOUVER, B. C., August 21, 2008 -- Architects around the world are encouraged to submit entries showcasing their own design excellence and architectural accomplishments at the first “Western Red Cedar Architectural Design Awards” taking place at a special awards event taking place April 30 – May 2, 2009 at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Convention in San Francisco.

Sponsored by the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association (WRCLA) and the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau (CSSB), these one-of-a-kind awards will specifically recognize innovative design using this unique building material. Winners will be selected by a jury of renowned architects, identified, in part, by the staff of Architectural Record. The judges are Jim Cutler, Martin Finio and Ellen Watts.

The Awards are now open for entries.

The four categories for the Western Red Cedar Lumber awards are as follows: Residential, Resort/Vacation, Non-residential/Commercial and Landscape/Outdoor projects. Projects must show significant usage of cedar lumber products in exterior or interior applications (cedar shakes and shingles can be included but should be the dominant feature).

The four categories for the Western Red Cedar shake and shingle awards are as follows: Residential, Resort/Vacation, Non-residential/Commercial and Specialty Sidewall Shingle Display (art and/or pre-finished). Projects must show significant use of cedar shakes or shingles in roofing or roofing and sidewall applications. Preference will be given to “Certi-label™” brand materials on all projects.

All entries must be submitted online at www.construction.com/cedarawards/ by October 31, 2008. There will be eight winners, one winner for each of the four categories in each of the two product classifications (Western Red Cedar Lumber and Western Red Cedar shakes and shingles). Awards will be presented May 1, 2009 at a special awards event that will be held in conjunction with the AIA National Convention in San Francisco.

“For many reasons, Western Red Cedar is nature’s ultimate building material,” said Peter Lang, general manager for the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association. “These awards are intended to demonstrate just how versatile and innovative the possibilities can be with Western Red Cedar. We’re very pleased to join with the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau to present this year’s awards.”

Contest entrants are invited to submit projects of any size, design, building or building type. New, remodeled, restored buildings are all eligible and typical projects include single family or vacation homes, apartment or town house projects, schools, hotels, stores, resorts, churches or other cultural, recreational or educational complexes.

Projects are to be submitted for judging within 1 or 2 distinct product classifications: (1) Those featuring extensive use of Western Red Cedar lumber such as siding, trim, paneling, decking timber or (2) Those featuring extensive use of Western Red Cedar shakes and shingles. The winning designs will demonstrate an understanding of the special properties of Western Red Cedar including beauty and durability in structural or aesthetic applications. Projects must have been completed on or after January 1, 2005.

For more information on the “Western Red Cedar Architectural Design Awards,” please navigate to http://www.construction.com/cedarawards/.